Chapter 9
After a short round of goodbyes, Seth left. He stepped outside into the cool night air. The Maserati gleamed under the entrance lights, all sleek lines and expensive engineering. He paused before getting in, making a show of surveying the grounds as if assessing security concerns.
His jackal’s senses stretched out, cataloging sounds and scents. The forest was quiet except for normal nocturnal creatures. He could sense no immediate threats, but that could change quickly once he started making moves against the existing power structure.
He got into the car and fired up the engine, enjoying the throaty rumble. The drive back to the cabin took some time on the winding roads, but Seth’s mind was already miles ahead, planning his next steps.
Inside the cabin, he stripped off the expensive clothes and changed into comfortable jeans and a t-shirt. Then he pulled out his encrypted phone and started making calls.
Sam Kinkaid answered on the second ring. “How’s the situation?”
“Complicated.” Seth dropped into the chair in front of his laptop.
“The heir wants to fight, which is good, but she needs a complete staff overhaul. Everyone currently at the castle is either actively working for the enemy or loyal enough to Abdul’s memory that they’ll report everything to his former associates. ”
“Can you get rid of them?” Sam’s voice was measured, thoughtful.
“I think so. But I need replacements ready to go immediately. If we create a vacuum, the mages might try to fill it before we can.”
“What kind of timeline?”
“Three days, maybe four. The mages are supposed to return to the castle in four days. Ideally, I’d like to have new staff in place before that happens.”
Sam was quiet for a moment. “That’s fast.”
“I know. But the alternative is leaving Petra surrounded by enemies while she tries to shut down their operation. That’s suicide.”
“Agreed.” Seth heard the sound of keys clicking. Sam was already accessing his databases. “I’ve got people in Germany. Clan-affiliated shifters working in hospitality and property management. I can probably assemble a core team by tomorrow night if I call in some favors.”
Relief flooded through Seth. “That would be perfect.”
“What positions do you need filled?”
“I’ll call in my own team to work security for the grounds and house, but I don’t have domestic help on call.
We need a butler, cook, housekeeping staff, and a groundskeeper.
Also, maybe a personal assistant for Petra, someone who can handle the day-to-day logistics while she focuses on bigger issues.
” Seth pulled up his own notes. “The current butler has been there thirty-two years. He’s the biggest concern because he has institutional knowledge and I’d bet real money that he has connections to the Venifucus. ”
“I’ll make it a priority. Give me until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thanks, Alpha.”
“Don’t thank me yet. This is going to get messy when you start firing people.” Sam’s tone was dry. “The Venifucus doesn’t like losing assets, and they’ll view the staff as extensions of their operation.”
“I know. But we can’t secure the castle with compromised personnel inside.”
“Agreed. I’ll send you profiles tomorrow. You and Petra can interview the candidates and make final decisions.”
They talked logistics for another twenty minutes before Sam had to take another call. Seth immediately dialed Mark Peppard.
“Seth,” Mark answered. “Katja says the dinner went well.”
“Your lawyer is impressive. She managed to discuss everything important without actually saying anything that would give the other side a clue.” Seth opened a bottle of water from the cabin’s small fridge. “But we’ve got a staff problem.”
“I figured. What do you need?”
“Bodies. Trustworthy ones. Sam Kinkaid is working his contacts in Germany, but I’d like a backup plan if his people fall through.”
“I’ve got people in France and Switzerland. Probably a few in Austria too.” Mark’s tone was thoughtful. “How many positions?”
“Five minimum. Seven or eight would be better. I’d like to be sure we have enough trustworthy people around Petra, so if she comes under attack, she’s got allies near.
I’m calling my team in tonight and they’ll start arriving within hours.
I can have the perimeter secured and heavy firepower ready to fight, if necessary, but the castle is huge and she’s going to need people on the inside, both to help her fight anything that comes against her, and to just keep the place running.
I’d like her to have a permanent staff of shifters or other allies that she can work with going forward, even after my team neutralizes the problem and moves on to our next job. ”
“That’s doable. Give me twenty-four hours to check on a few things. I can find candidates for permanent positions with her and send them along in the next day or two.”
Seth felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. With both Sam and Mark working their networks, they’d have options. Good options, and people who understood the stakes and could be trusted to protect Petra.
“There’s one more thing,” Seth said. “The castle definitely has surveillance inside. Audio at minimum, possibly video in the common areas. I need someone who can sweep the place and remove the equipment. I could try, but then that would be all I would be doing. The place is enormous.”
“I know just the person. He’s a tech specialist, and former British Intelligence.” Mark paused. “This is going to escalate fast once you start making moves.”
“I know. But the alternative is leaving Petra vulnerable until the mages come back. I’m not willing to do that.”
“Neither am I. Katja likes her, which is saying something. My cousin doesn’t like many people.”
Seth smiled despite himself. “I didn’t realize Katja was family. I’m extra thankful you sent her, Alpha. And I have to say, Petra’s easy to like. She’s brave, smart, and determined to do the right thing even though she’s terrified.”
“Your kind of person,” Mark said, a note of amusement in his voice.
“Yeah. My kind of person.” Mark had known Seth a long time.
They’d fought together in the trenches years ago, before Mark had begun to build his worldwide empire to protect what was left of his Clan.
They both respected each other deeply, and Seth counted Mark as one of his very few close personal friends.
They finalized the details and ended the call. Seth sat back in his chair, reviewing his mental checklist. Staff replacements in progress. Tech specialist on the way to sweep for surveillance. Legal meeting tomorrow with Katja running interference. Everything was moving as fast as it could.
He’d sent out an alert to his team even before he’d left for dinner.
They would start arriving in the next few hours, trickling in from wherever they were in the world, having taken a few weeks off between jobs.
He knew and trusted every last man on his team with his life.
They’d been through thick and thin together and he knew there were no better soldiers to be on this op.
Not one of them had any sympathies for those who sided with the Venifucus.
But Seth still felt the pressure of the ticking clock. Four days until the mages returned. Four days to fortify Petra’s position, secure the castle, and prepare for what would likely be a very ugly confrontation.
He stood and stretched, working out the kinks from sitting too long. The cabin’s windows overlooked the forest, and Seth could see stars beginning to appear in the darkening sky. Time to shift and head back to the castle for the night watch.
He stripped methodically, folding his clothes and setting them aside. Then he let the change take him.
The world sharpened into clarity as his jackal form settled into place.
Scents exploded across his senses. Pine sap and earth and the distant smell of deer somewhere in the forest. His hearing expanded, picking up the rustle of small creatures in the undergrowth and the whisper of wind through branches.
The run to the castle took less than ten minutes in jackal form, his paws silent on the forest floor as he moved through familiar territory.
He circled the property once, checking the perimeter and noting the locations of security cameras and motion sensors.
Everything was quiet. Normal. No signs of intruders or threats.
But Seth’s instincts were prickling. Something was going to happen soon.
The Venifucus knew about Petra by now, and after tonight’s dinner, they knew she wasn’t going to just go along with whatever they wanted.
She had shown her independence by going outside the expected parameters and finding her own help.
They’d know about Petra’s new consultants, and they’d be making their own plans about how to handle her.
The only question was whether they’d wait the scheduled time until the mages to return, or if they’d make a move sooner.
Seth settled into his usual watching position beneath Petra’s window. The light was on, and he could hear Petra and Katja, talking quietly about something. Planning, probably. Getting ready for tomorrow’s legal battle.
Good. They needed to be ready.
Seth would make sure they stayed safe while they did it.
The jackal settled onto his haunches, ears pricked forward, attention fixed on the castle and the darkness beyond.
Whatever came next, he’d be ready. He’d kept watch over dangerous situations before, and protected people who didn’t know they needed protecting.
This was what he did. This was who he was.
And Petra Haas, brave librarian who’d chosen to fight instead of run, deserved someone watching her back.